Adult Patient Assessment: Comprehensive Guide for Nursing and Midwifery Students

Question 1

When obtaining a patient's medical history, which component is NOT included in the "SAMPLE" acronym?

Accepted Answer

Family history

Answer

Symptoms

Answer

Allergies

Answer

Medications

Question 2

During a physical examination, which technique involves palpating the abdomen for masses or tenderness?

Accepted Answer

Palpation

Answer

Inspection

Answer

Auscultation

Answer

Percussion

Question 3

Which component is NOT assessed during a comprehensive mental status examination?

Accepted Answer

Motor function

Answer

Orientation

Answer

Memory

Answer

Affect

Question 4

Which risk assessment tool is specifically designed to identify patients at risk for developing pressure ulcers?

Accepted Answer

Braden Scale

Answer

Glasgow Coma Scale

Answer

Abbreviated Mental Test

Answer

Morse Fall Scale

Question 5

When evaluating a patient's respiratory status, which parameter is NOT typically assessed?

Accepted Answer

Cardiac output

Answer

Rate

Answer

Depth

Answer

Effort

Question 6

Which of the following is a common sign of dehydration?

Accepted Answer

Dry mucous membranes

Answer

Increased skin turgor

Answer

Bradycardia

Answer

Hypotension

Question 7

During a health history assessment, which component offers the most critical insights into a patient's current health status?

Accepted Answer

Present illness

Answer

Past medical history

Answer

Social history

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT a fundamental component of a thorough adult patient assessment?

Accepted Answer

Nutritional assessment

Answer

Health history taking

Answer

Physical examination

Answer

Risk assessment

Question 9

Which of the following constitutes an important component of the Glasgow Coma Scale?

Accepted Answer

Motor response

Answer

Blood pressure

Answer

Pain level

Answer

Oxygen saturation

Question 10

The primary purpose of a focused assessment is to:

Accepted Answer

Evaluate a specific concern or problem

Answer

Monitor the patient's progress over time

Answer

Provide a comprehensive analysis of the patient's overall health

Answer

Establish a nursing diagnosis

Question 11

An example of a subjective data source is:

Accepted Answer

The patient's self-reported pain

Answer

Measured blood pressure

Answer

Auscultated lung sounds

Question 12

In the nursing process, the step that directly follows assessment is:

Accepted Answer

Planning

Answer

Documentation

Answer

Intervention

Answer

Evaluation

Question 13

What is the initial step in obtaining a patient's health history?

Accepted Answer

Establish rapport and gain patient consent for assessment

Answer

Perform a comprehensive physical examination

Answer

Assess the patient's mental status

Question 14

Which of the following is NOT typically included in a comprehensive physical examination?

Accepted Answer

Review of medical history

Answer

Percussion

Answer

Palpation

Answer

Auscultation

Question 15

What is the primary purpose of assessing a patient's mental status?

Accepted Answer

To identify any cognitive or psychological impairments that may affect health

Answer

To assess the patient's risk for suicide only

Answer

To determine the patient's physical health

Question 16

Which of the following is a known risk factor for developing pressure ulcers?

Accepted Answer

Immobility

Answer

Frequent repositioning

Answer

Good nutritional status

Answer

Healthy and intact skin

Question 17

What is the primary objective of documentation in patient assessment?

Accepted Answer

To provide a clear and accurate record of the patient's condition, care provided, and decisions made

Answer

To share information with other healthcare professionals only

Answer

To justify the nurse's actions solely

Question 18

Which of the following is a fundamental principle of patient-centered assessment?

Accepted Answer

Respecting the patient's unique values, beliefs, and preferences

Answer

Using only standardized assessment tools

Answer

Completing the assessment as quickly as possible

Answer

Relying exclusively on the nurse's judgment

Question 19

Which assessment tool is specifically designed to evaluate a patient's level of consciousness?

Accepted Answer

Glasgow Coma Scale

Answer

Mini-Mental State Examination

Answer

Beck Depression Inventory

Answer

Activities of Daily Living Scale

Question 20

Which of the following is a potential advantage of utilizing technology in patient assessment?

Accepted Answer

Improved accuracy and efficiency in data collection and analysis

Answer

Elimination of human error entirely

Answer

Reduced patient privacy

Answer

Increased patient discomfort during assessment

Question 21

Which of the following is an essential component of health history taking, focusing on the patient's current state?

Accepted Answer

Assessment of current symptoms

Answer

Patient's family history

Answer

Interpretation of laboratory results

Answer

Assessment of social determinants of health

Question 22

When performing a physical examination to assess skin turgor, which technique is used?

Accepted Answer

Pinching the skin and observing its recoil time

Answer

Auscultating the skin for bruits

Answer

Palpating the skin for tenderness

Answer

Percussing the skin for vibration

Question 23

Which risk assessment tool is commonly used to identify patients at risk for developing pressure ulcers?

Accepted Answer

Braden Scale

Answer

Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale

Answer

Malnutrition Screening Tool

Answer

Morse Fall Scale

Question 24

Which of the following is considered a key principle of effective communication during patient assessment?

Accepted Answer

Active listening

Answer

Making assumptions about the patient's condition

Answer

Using jargon and technical terms

Answer

Interrupting the patient frequently

Question 25

When documenting a patient's assessment findings, which practice is considered best?

Accepted Answer

Using clear, concise, and objective language

Answer

Including irrelevant or unnecessary details

Answer

Omitting important information to save time

Answer

Using abbreviations that may not be universally understood

Question 26

Which of the following is a potential ethical consideration during patient assessment?

Accepted Answer

Respecting the patient's privacy and confidentiality

Answer

Assuming the patient's consent to all procedures

Answer

Disclosing patient information to unauthorized individuals

Answer

Ignoring the patient's cultural and social background

Question 27

When assessing a patient with suspected neurological damage, which of the following clinical signs is commonly observed?

Accepted Answer

Asymmetry of reflexes

Answer

Cyanosis

Answer

Elevated blood pressure

Answer

Jaundice

Question 28

Which of the following is an example of subjective data collected during patient assessment?

Accepted Answer

Patient's description of their symptoms

Answer

Laboratory test results

Answer

Vital signs

Answer

Physical examination findings

Question 29

When obtaining a patient's health history, which question is most suitable to assess their past medical history?

Accepted Answer

Have you had any prior major illnesses or surgeries?

Answer

What medications are you currently taking?

Answer

Do you have any current allergies?

Question 30

Which physical examination technique is used to assess skin turgor?

Accepted Answer

Tenting

Answer

Auscultation

Answer

Palpation

Answer

Percussion

Question 31

What is the primary purpose of the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)?

Accepted Answer

To determine a patient's level of consciousness

Answer

To assess a patient's pain level

Answer

To identify a patient's risk for falls

Answer

To evaluate a patient's vital signs

Question 32

Which risk assessment tool is commonly utilized to evaluate a patient's risk for developing pressure ulcers?

Accepted Answer

Braden Scale

Answer

Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale

Answer

Morse Fall Scale

Answer

Malnutrition Screening Tool

Question 33

What is the primary goal of conducting a mental status assessment?

Accepted Answer

To assess a patient's cognitive and emotional functioning

Answer

To determine a patient's need for medication

Answer

To diagnose mental health disorders

Question 34

Which of the following may indicate dehydration?

Accepted Answer

Dry mucous membranes

Answer

Increased urine output

Answer

Bradycardia

Answer

Normal blood pressure

Question 35

How often should vital signs be monitored in a stable adult patient?

Accepted Answer

Every 4-6 hours

Answer

Only when the patient reports symptoms

Answer

Every 1-2 hours

Answer

Every 8-12 hours

Question 36

What measure is most crucial for preventing healthcare-associated infections?

Accepted Answer

Hand hygiene

Answer

Isolation precautions

Answer

Use of personal protective equipment

Answer

Environmental cleaning

Question 37

Which of the following is NOT included in a comprehensive health history for an adult patient?

Accepted Answer

Patient's financial information

Answer

Family history

Answer

Current medications

Answer

Past medical history

Question 38

Auscultation of normal breath sounds during a respiratory system examination typically reveals:

Accepted Answer

Vesicular breath sounds

Answer

Rales

Answer

Wheezes

Answer

Pleural friction rub

Question 39

Which of the following observations suggests impaired orientation during mental status assessment?

Accepted Answer

Patient cannot provide their correct birthdate.

Answer

Patient can follow two-step commands.

Answer

Patient has good eye contact.

Answer

Patient can recall the name of the current president.

Question 40

Which of the following is considered a major risk factor for falls among elderly patients?

Accepted Answer

History of previous falls

Answer

High levels of physical activity

Answer

Young age

Answer

Excellent balance and coordination

Question 41

When interpreting laboratory test results, what is the normal range for serum sodium concentration?

Accepted Answer

135-145 mEq/L

Answer

100-120 mEq/L

Answer

110-130 mEq/L

Answer

150-160 mEq/L

Question 42

During a physical examination of the musculoskeletal system, which maneuver is used to assess the range of motion in the shoulder?

Accepted Answer

Shoulder flexion and abduction

Answer

Hip extension

Answer

Cervical rotation

Answer

Ankle inversion

Question 43

Which nursing intervention is essential for preventing skin breakdown in bed-bound patients?

Accepted Answer

Regular turning and repositioning

Answer

Using antibacterial soap for bathing

Answer

Massaging the skin vigorously

Answer

Applying a heating pad to affected areas

Question 44

Which of the following is a fundamental principle of effective therapeutic communication?

Accepted Answer

Active listening and empathy

Answer

Changing the subject abruptly

Answer

Interrupting the patient frequently

Answer

Talking down to the patient

Question 45

Which of the following is a crucial component of a comprehensive nursing health history?

Accepted Answer

Past medical history

Answer

Eye color

Answer

Social security number

Question 46

The primary objective of conducting a physical examination is to:

Accepted Answer

Evaluate the patient's overall health status

Answer

Establish a rapport with the patient

Question 47

A vital component of a mental status assessment includes:

Accepted Answer

Assessment of orientation

Answer

Measurement of blood pressure

Question 48

The primary reason for performing a risk assessment in nursing is to:

Accepted Answer

Identify potential risks to patient safety

Answer

Determine treatment plans

Answer

Diagnose medical conditions

Answer

Document patient care

Question 49

Which technique is commonly used by nurses to assess pain severity in patients?

Accepted Answer

Numerical rating scale (NRS)

Answer

Functional Independence Measure (FIM)

Answer

Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)

Question 50

The primary significance of documenting assessment findings lies in:

Accepted Answer

Providing a benchmark for comparison and evaluation

Answer

Protecting nurses from legal liability

Question 51

The ethical principle that governs nurses' responsibility to safeguard patient privacy is:

Accepted Answer

Privacy

Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Non-maleficence

Question 52

A common sign of respiratory distress that nurses should be aware of is:

Accepted Answer

Dyspnea

Answer

Hypotension

Answer

Hyperglycemia

Answer

Bradycardia

Question 53

For a stable adult patient, what is the recommended interval for monitoring vital signs?

Accepted Answer

Every 4-8 hours

Answer

Hourly